Cushion means for shoe shanks



Feb. 25, 1930. w. J. ANDING CUSHION MEANS FOR SHOE SHANKS Filed Feb. 25, 1929 amm Patented Feb. 25,v 1930 "PATENT OFFICE WALTER J. ANDING, OF'COLUMBUS, OIO

CSHIGN MEANS FOB SHOE SHANKS Application :tiled February 23, 1929. lSerial No. 341,884.

This invention relates broadly to shoes, and

with reference to the more specific features thereof the invention has particular applicaj tion to the shank construction of shoes. Most shoes have the shank portions thereof constructed to include resilient metallic stiifening elements whichvserve in use to maintain the several parts of the shoe in properly related order. The` presence of thesel shank sti'eners produces a shoeconstruction which tends often to injure the foot of the wearer. In other words, the rigid construction afforded by the metallic stiener does not provide for the free and natural flexure of the bones of the 'foot comprising the meta-tarsal arch with the result that shoes frequently fatigue the feet of the wearer and in many instances prove positively injurious.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide in a shoe having a metallic shank stiifener an improved form of cushion Ywhich consists of a soft, pliable Vand compressible material such as sp K nge or gum rubber, and wherein the cus ion is shaped generally to conform to the outline of the shank sti'ffener, the said cushion being carried upon the upper surface of the stiffener between the insole and outsole of the shoe and in registration with the meta-tarsal bone structure of the foot. v

In the formation of a shoe with the present invention the cushion extends longitudinally of the shoe shank above the stiffener and between ther'insole and outsole and the last about which the shoe is formed is provided with a longitudinally extending groove along its shank surface, whereby when a shoe is completed the cushion produces a ridge which extends lengthwise of the shoe shank and which projects above the insole, the arrangement being such that the 'cushioned ridge will enter the hollow of the foot, cooperative with the meta-tarsal bone structure and support and maintain the latterin proper positions of articulation during the wearing of the shoe to the end of overcoming foot. fatigue, fallen arches and other orthopedic deformities or conditions.

With these and other objectsin view which will appear as the description lproceeds, the

invention consists in the novel Vfeatures Aof construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts hereinafter fully described and set forth in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a. bottom plan view of a shoe with the outer sole and heel removed showing the present invention applied to the insole of the shoe,

Figure :2 is a vertical sectional view show- 60 ing the lower portion of a shoe containing the present invention,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stiffning portion of the invention in its preferred Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of X Figure 3 taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cushioning portion of the present invention, f

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another 70 form of the stiii'ening portion embodying the present invention. y

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the shank stiffener in its entirety. The numeral 2 desig- 75 nates the shoe to which the shank stiflener is applied and the numeral 3 designates the insole of the shoe. The 'shank stiffener 1 is adapted to be applied to the shoe between the insole and the outer sole and lcomprises a so stiffening portion 4 and a cushioning portion v 5. The stiifening portion 4 is formed preferably froln'a single strip of spring steel and is shaped longitudinally to conform yto the curvature of the shank of the shoe. The rear-. as ward or heel end 6 ofthe stifi'ening portion is ,formed flat with the inner portion cutaway so that the same presents a U shaped appearance'for forming extensions 7 on the rearward end of the stiifening portion. Thls 90 permits the shank stiiener 1 to be positioned on the insole 3, as shown in Figure 1, so that the rearward end 6 vof the stiilening portion is against the heel portion 8 of the insole with the extensions 7 positioned on either side of 95 the central portion 9 of the heel 8.

The stiiening portion, being a comparatively narrow strip of. material, the rearward end 6` thereof covers only a small portion of the surface of the heel 8 and leaves entirely 10o unobstructed the marginal portion 10 of the heel aswell as the central portion 9. The intermediate portion 11 of the stiifemng l)portion is formed with aconcavity or depression which serves to reinforce and-stiifen the same throughout its intermediate portion so that by this construction sufficient strength and stiffness is imparted to a relatively thin material thus making possible the successful use of shank stiifeners in shoes where the soles are made yof relatively thin material. This is especially important in the manufacture of feminine footwear, where because of the thinness of the materials and the nature of the articles manufactured, bulkiness must be avoided. My device imparts the requisite strength and flexibility without increasing the apparent thickness of the shoe. l

The st ifening portion 4 is adapted to extend over a portion of the heel 8 and throughout the entire length of the shank 1.2 of the l sole'andy in its preferred form terminates in a forward end 13 which is slightly widened and extends toward the inner side of the shoe, since the intermediate portion 11 anda forward end 13 conform in outline to the outline of the shank portion 12 of the ,sole but of course, are much narrower than vthe sole. The forward edge 14 is shaped to conform i 3o to the line on which the vamp portion 15 of ,the sole bends away from the shank portion 12, so that the stiffening portion while reinforcing the shank in no way interferes with the iexibility of the shoe.

The cushioning portion 5 is formed preferably from sponge rubber which has been rendered freely pliable and compressible and is adapted to be positionedon the upper surface of the stif'fening portion 4, the material' on the under surface of the cushioning portion being formed to occupy the concavity or depression in the vstiii'ening portion, so that when the shank stiffener is applied to" the shoe,

as shown in Figure 1, the cushioning portion 5 is positioned between the insole 3 and the stiffening portion 4. `The cushioning portion 5 is adapted to extend throughout ythe shank portion of the sole so that theheel portion 6 of the stiifening portion 4 extends beyond the cushioning portion. The cushioning portion 5v conforms in outlineto the outline of the intermediate portion 11 and the forward end 13 of the stiffening portion, the sides of the cushioningl portion extending slightly beyond the sidesof the stiffening por- 4 tion,"the forward end 16 of the cushioning Inthe manufacture of. the shoe the device is first applied tothe insole as shown in Figure l, th'e cushioning portion 5 being engaged 'by the insole and the stiffening portion 4.

The outer sole 21 is then applied to the' welt which has been sewed to the insole and upper in the usual manner in making welt shoes.

More frequently the heel portion ofthe sole is not sewed but pegged together. In either event, however, the use of my device does not obstruct any portion of the lsole through which the stitching must pass. When the outer sole 21 and insole 3 have been secured together by stitching along the marginal portion 20, the soles 21 and 3 are drawn tightly about the shank stiffener 1 positioning the cushioning portion 5 against the stiii'ening portion .4' thus incorporating the shank stiffener 'into the sole of the shoe and rendering unnecessary any further fastening means to retain the shank stiifener inlits' position.

It will be observed that the cushioning portion 5 is positioned betweenthe stiftening portion 4 and the insole 3, thus filling the concavity or depressed portion and covering the edges thereof so that the device throughout its shank portion presents a cushioned upper surface which increases the comfort of the shoe when worn and also causing the insole throughout its shank portion to be slightly raised and to preventa slightly convex upper' surface, thus permitting the insole on itsupper surface to conform to the curvature of the bottom of the arch of the foot thereby supporting the arch comprising the meta-tarsal bones of the foot in a comfortable and efficient manner. This construction also prevents the edges of the stiffening portion 4 from coming in contact with the i-nsole`3 so that the proper resilience may be retained in the'shank without any damage or injury to the insole-because of frictional contact between the insole and thel stiening portion 4. It will alsd be observed that when the cushioning portion 5 is constructed of soft rubber, the stiffening portion 4 throughout its intermediate and forward portion will be protected from exposure or contact .with moisture caused'by perspiration of the foot when the "shoe is being worn.

After the outer sole 21 has been applied, the heel 22 is next fastened to the shoe. This is accomplished by means of pegs or nails driven into .the marginal portion 10 of the heel seat or 1n the case of feminine footwear where woodenI heels are employed, the heel is usually attached tothe shoe by means of a last screw 23 which passes through thecentral portion 9 of the sole and into the wooden heel 22 during the drying of an adhesive uniting the heel and sole. With my device this may be accomplished in the usualmanner because the central portion 9 of the heel is unobstructed, the extensions 7 being on either side of the central portion. It is 'obvious that when the heel 22 has been attached .to the shoe, the rearward end 6 is firmly positioned and held in place between the insole 3 and the outer sole 21 and above the heel so that the heel and shank portion of the shoe are resiliently braced together, the forward end 13 being somewhat widened andconforming to the line established by the bending of the vamp portion 15 from the shank portion 12 of the sole. The device thus serves to maintain the sole in its proper shape and to resist 'n the twisting of the sole which results when the heel of the shoe becomes worn on one side and serves/further to relieve the ankles from strain by maintaining the shoev in proper alignment under varying conditions of service.

f n win @hasta ASeen that the device maintains theshoe in its proper alignment and shape without in any manner substantially ,interfering with its flexibility and at the same time strengthens the heel and shank and maintains their proper relationship, imparting to the shank the requisite resiliency which is essential when a high wooden heel is ernployed.

It will be understood that while the device shown in Figure 1 is for the shoe of the left foot, the device is made both left and right. The raised portion of the insole produced by the cushion is shaped to conform to the natural arch afforded by the instep of the i human foot. It will be observed that this raised portion is devoid of sharp or abrupt surfaces but is gradually grooved and blended intoithe plane of thejinsole, although the major portion of the ridge lies in planes above that of the insole. The'ridge by conforming to the shape of the foot, maintains the bones comprising the meta-tarsal arch in proper order, affording relief in cases of the so-called fallen arch and provides generally for enhanced foot comfort in shoe construction. In the production of thev shoe, the

bottom of the last is grooved along its shankA portion in order to admit of the formation of the raised cushion portion in the shoe. It will be observed that the rubber pad comprising the cushion is protectedby the insole, and due to the material fromwhich the cushion is formed and its encased position within the shoe itself, the life of the cushion is at least equal to that of the shoe. v

What is claimed is:

1. A shank stiiiener comprising a shank portion and a stiffening portion, said stiifening portion comprising a strip of resilient and relatively thin material shaped to conform to thecurvatureofashank portion of the sole of a shoe, the forward edge conforming to a line established by the bend of the vamp portion of the sole from the shank portion of the sole, the other end of said strip being U shaped and said strip intermediate of its ends being concave, and the said cushioning portion comprising a single piece of compressible material and positioned on the upper side of said stiffening portion, the under side of said cushion- 'ing portion being shaped to conform to the Athe sides and forward end of said stiflening pprtion. f

2. A shank stifener comprising a shank portion and a stiffening portion, said stifening portion comprising a strip of thin resilient metal and positioned betweenthe inner and outer soles of a shoe and to extend from the central portion of a heel to the unction of the sole and shank, the forward end of said strip being widened to extend toward the innerv sideof a shoe with the forward edge formed to coincide with the line established by the bend of the vamp portion of the sole from the shank portion of the sole, the other end of said strip being flat with the inner porpiece of pliable compressible material positioned on the upper side of said stiifening portion, the under side of said material being formed for positioning within the longitudinal depression of said strip, the sides and end of said cushioning portion extending beyond the sides and forward end of said stii'ening portion.

3. A. shank stifener comprising a shank portion and a stiffening portion, said sti'ening portion comprising a strip of relatively thin resilient metal adapted to be positioned between the inner and outer soles of a shoe and to extend from above the central portion of a heel of a shoe to the juncture of the vamp and shank portions lof a sole, the forward end of said strip being widened to extend toward the inner side of a shoe with the forward edge formed to coincide with the line established by the bend of the sole from the shank of thepshoe, the other end of said strip being flat with a U shaped end edge, said strip intermediate of its ends having a longitudinal depression, said cushioning portion comprising asingle piece of pliable compressible material positioned on the upper side of said stifiening portion throughout its intermediate portion and forward end, the sides of said cushioning portion extending beyond the sides of said stiening portion, the forward end of said cushioning portion being widened and tapered to a thin edge and extending beyond the forward end of the said stilfening portion.

4. A shoe shank stifener comprising a resilient plate arranged to be mounted in the shank of a sole between the inner and outer soles thereof,.and to extend throughout t e length of the shank, and a cushion of soft, p iable and yieldable material mounted upon the .upper surface of said plate and conforming approximately to the contour of the latter, said cushion being adapted to produce a longitudinally extending convex 'upper surface on theshank portion ofthe inner sole of the associate shoe.

5. In la'shoe, the combination with the shank portion thereof including the inner sole and the outer sole, of a cushion of yieldalolev material arranged between the inner sole and outer sole and serving to produce a longitudinally extending ridge along the shank portion of the inner sole, said ridge being narrower than the shank portion of the shoe and dis'- posed approximately centrally thereof.

6. In a shoe, the combination with the shank portion thereof including the inner and outer soles, of a shank stifener. extending throughout the length of the shank portion ofthe shoe and disposed between said inner and outer soles, and a cushion of a compressible resilient material having the yielding properties of soft rubber carried by said shank stiffener and conforming approximately to the shape thereof, said cushion having a convex upper surface and serving .to produce a ridge along the inner sole which extends above the general plane of said innersole.

.In testimony WhereofvI aflix my signature.

lWALTER J. ANDING. 

